Category: Greek Island tours & excursions (page 1 of 4)

Mykonos 2022: tours, activities & other things to do

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Tours, cooking classes, wine & beer tastings, fitness activities, outdoor entertainment and other things to do on Mykonos

 

Activities and tours available on Mykonos in 2022

Images from some popular Mykonos activity and tour providers, from top left: Mykonos Horseland; Mykonos Raceland go-kart center; Mykonos Kayak; Maria-Eleni Sfaellou from Bespoke Mykonos guided tours; a cooking class at Mykonos Spiti & Farm; Kite Mykonos; a Mykonos Phototour picture of the Armenistis lighthouse; Yummy Pedals e-bikes; animals at the Mykonos Spiti farm; kids on a horse riding lesson at IPPOS Mykonos.

 

 

Beyond the bars and beaches: Mykonos may be famous for its beaches, boutiques and nightlife, but there’s a lot more to do on the island than just sunbathe, swim, party or shop ’til you drop. Activities abound for visitors, whether they’re travelling solo, as a couple, with family or in a group — either visiting the island just for the day on a cruise stop, or staying on Mykonos for a few days or an extended holiday.

Want to go sightseeing? There’s a wide variety of guided tours available that will show you scenic off the main tourist path parts of the island either on foot, by bicycle, on horseback, or in a jeep or other vehicle.

Are you a foodie who’d like to take a cooking class, taste traditional Greek dishes, or learn about olive oil or cheese making? Or are you more interested in sampling local craft beer or wine, either at a craft brewery or local vineyard, or on a private scenic tour? There’s a number of tours focussed on food and wine, as well as specialized cooking classes and demonstrations, wine or beer tastings, and more.

Looking for fitness, fun outdoor activities or watersports?  You can choose from kayaking; horseback riding; windsurfing, kitesurfing & boarding; yoga, pilates & other fitness classes; go-karting; and boat, sailboat and yacht tours and excursions galore.

If you’re a history and culture buff,  the ruins and archaeological site of Delos island — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — are a must-visit, and easily reached by boats that depart from a pier near the town hall in Mykonos Town. There’s several interesting museums, along with a municipal art gallery and a number of excellent private art galleries that showcase works by Greek and international artists.

And for evening entertainment, how about watching a movie under the stars at the Cine Manto outdoor cinema in the heart of Mykonos Town?

Below, and on page 2 of this post, we spotlight those and other top Mykonos attractions and activities:

 

 

A brand new arrival

Padel Mykonos padel tennis facility

As of July, Mykonos visitors can enjoy games of padel tennis at Padel Mykonos, a brand-new facility located in the Korfos area near Ornos beach.  Padel, a sport that has rapidly been gaining popularity around the world, is a fun sports activity that can be enjoyed by families and people of all ages and abilities. The first padel courts open to the public on Mykonos, Padel Mykonos is open daily from 8 a.m. until midnight.  Lessons with a qualified coach are available, while anyone who wants to give the sport a try is welcome to drop by. Court bookings can be made by phone to +30 6975532566; by email to [email protected]; or by using the online reservation form on the Padel Mykonos website.

 

Guided tours, sightseeing excursions and day trips to other islands

 

Two Delos Tours vessels docked at the Delos island port

The most popular partial day trip/tour excursion available on Mykonos is one of the daily boat trips to nearby Delos island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important and historic archaeological sites in all of Greece. (Admission to the site costs €8 per person, payable at the entrance gate.) Since the 1970s, the Mykonos-based family business Delos Tours has been operating boats that ferry tourists to Delos to explore the ancient ruins of what was once a thriving and wealthy cosmopolitan port city. From April until the end of October, the Delos Tours boats make daily return trips (weather conditions permitting), and visitors can either buy €22 per person tickets for just the boat transfer so they can see Delos at their own pace, or they can purchase €60 per person tickets for organized tours that include the boat trip, entrance to the site, and a guided tour of the ruins by a certified tourist guide. (Guided tours are free for children under 6 years old, and €30 for kids aged 6 to 12.) Full details of boat and guided tour schedules, and online ticket booking, are available on the Delos Tours website.

 

Tour activities offered by Kyklomar Tours on Mykonos

Operating for the past 27 years, Kyklomar Tours will resume its popular series of excursions and private tours this spring. Its City and Island Tours start on April 3, while its Jeep Safaris will begin on April 18. Tours to Delos island start May 2, Tinos island day trips on May 3, south coast boat cruises on May 21, and sunset cruises on May 22. A Wine & Culture tour can be booked anytime upon request.  The company also offers transfer services. Full details of the tours, including start times, meeting points and prices, are outlined on the Kyklomar Tours website

 

Yummy Pedals Mykonos bicycle and hiking tours

Open for bookings and requests throughout the year, Yummy Pedals began operating its guided bicycle and hiking tours on March 15.  Yummy Pedals offers a variety of half- and full-day adventures for people of all ages and abilities, with excursions tailor-made for singles, couples, families, honeymooners, and cruise passengers.  Romantic escapes and special events can be arranged, and electric bikes are available for booking.

 

Mykonos Excursions tours and activities on Mykonos

A part of the Mykonian Spiti farm and cooking class business, Mykonos Excursions offers an extensive array of adventures and activities, including cooking demonstrations and classes; farm visits; hiking, walking and jeep tours; sunset and southern beach cruises; island tours; and even a day trip to Andros island.  Their season started in March.

 

Blue Lion jeep safari tours on Mykonos

Again this year, Blue Lion Safari is offering its selection of private and semi-private specialized Jeep tours of Mykonos.  The options include 5-hour private and semi-private morning tours and sunset tours through northern regions of Mykonos; a 10-hour full day private tour; and a special occasion private tour that will be customized to private a unique adventure experience on Mykonos. The tours include a meal and wine stop along the way. Maps and descriptions of the tour itineraries, along with contact information, are available on the Blue Lion Safari website.

 

Mykonos Photo Tour

Mykonos Photo Tour returns April 24, offering private island photo tours and photography shoots, location guides and travel coordination services hosted by its founder, Achim Eckhardt

 

Maria-Eleni Sfaellou of Bespoke Mykonos private guided tours

 Private guided tours on Mykonos are available now from licensed tour guide Maria-Eleni Sfaellou of Bespoke Mykonos. Starting on April 1, Maria-Eleni also will be available to provide guided tours at the Delos island archaeological site. 

 

 

 

Food, beer and wine-focussed tours, classes and activities

 

Photos of Mykonian Spiti and Farm on Mykonos island

One of the island’s best-known food and farm attractions, Mykonian Spiti & Farm hosts cooking classes and demonstrations, wine tastings, and tours of its farm. Located in the island’s Messaria district, Mykonian Spiti offers day and evening cooking classes hosted by Teta Fragedaki. The spiti’s other activities include wine tastings, traditional lunches and dinners, a farm bakery class with lunch, a farm barbecue, olive oil tasting, and a variety of experiences — ideal for children — on the farm.

 

Rizes Folklore Farmstead on Mykonos

Photo collage from the website for Rizes Folklore Farmstead & Restaurant Mykonos

A 5-acre property in the Maou area near Ano Mera, Rizes Folklore Farmstead offers guided tours of a re-created Chorio (traditional Myconian farmstead), including its house; chapel; vineyard, olive grove and vegetable garden; wine pressing vat; cheese workshop; folklore exhibitions; stable, dovecote and chicken coop; and a visit with the domestic farm animals. Cooking and bread baking classes also are offered.  In addition, the farmstead has a popular restaurant where visitors can enjoy freshly-cooked traditional meals, including  homemade pies, salads and spreads, and vegetable and meat dishes, all prepared according to Greek and Myconian recipes and techniques, and made primarily with local ingredients and products.  On Sundays, Rizes presents live Greek folk music entertainment, and hosts party feasts to celebrate national holidays and important religious events. During winter, Rizes was open only on weekends, but since April 16 has been open every day from noon until 9 p.m.

 

Mykonos Vioma Organic Farm & Winery

April 1 is opening day for Mykonos Vioma Organic Farm & Winery, located in the Maou area near Ano Mera. Operated by the Asymomitis family, the farm offers daily free guided tours that show visitors its biodynamic cultivation and wine making techniques. The farm also hosts tastings of their wines and local products, and kids can meet and play with the farm’s four-legged residents. 

 

Tour in Mykonian Land on Mykonos

The unique Tour in Mykonian Land experiences return on April 1. The two-hour guided tours of an estate in the Marathi area take visitors through an olive grove, vineyard and wine press facility, and conclude at the on-site taverna. There, guests are treated to traditional live music entertainment while they sample local food delicacies and some of the estate’s wines and olive oil. 

 

 

Mykonos Farmers cooking class workshop

Located in the Agios Lazaros area, Mykonos Farmers is a facility that specializes in the production of Mykonian cheeses (including the spicy Mykonos Kopanisti cheese) and other dairy products using traditional methods. Visitors are welcome to drop in for a tour of the facilities, and to sample the products. Mykonos Farmers also offers interactive cooking workshops that will introduce participants to cheese making, along with recipes to take home. Tours and workshops are available for large and small groups alike.

 

Anita Zachou of Mykonos Olive Oil Tasting

From May 15 to October 15, Anita Zachou of Mykonos Olive Oil Tasting will again host her group tasting workshops every afternoon. Private tasting sessions, special event tasting parties, on-yacht sessions and children’s workshops also are available. Full details of the company’s tasting sessions and activities, as well as booking and contact information, are available on the Mykonos Olive Oil Tasting website.

 

Mykonos Brewing Company

Mykonos Brewing Company is the island’s first, and only, craft brewery, and makes the local Mikonu brand of beers.  Located in the Argyraina area just outside Mykonos Town, the brewery is a complete brewhouse and taproom in an underground facility that once housed the island’s bowling alley. Visitors can advance book tours and tasting sessions, or can simply walk in to visit the taproom and sample the brews.  The taproom has windows offering a view of the brewery production area, and “is a family friendly, pet friendly, snack friendly, board game friendly space with a bar and table seating area.” The taproom is open year-round; its hours of operation for the spring and summer are Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

 

The Wine Society Mykonos

The Wine Society exclusive wine tastings return on April 1, along with other unique holiday experiences curated by Georgia and Stelios, co-owners of Your Concierge. Their company’s one-of-a-kind activities include a variety of walking tours (a morning excursion that includes a breakfast break; an evening tour that includes a stop for a cocktail, and another that features a beach picnic); a souvlaki cooking class; a Greek cocktail masterclass; and a fish meze picnic at a secret beach. Your Concierge also can create customized private tours and memorable activities for visitors celebrating special occasions. Their experiences can be scheduled for anytime between April 1 and October 31. Full descriptions and details of the various experiences can be found on the Mykonos Experiences page of the Your Concierge website.

 

 

Open-air movie entertainment

 

Cine Manto outdoor cinema on Mykonos

Cine Manto is an outdoor cinema located in a beautiful botanical garden oasis in the heart of Mykonos Town.  Open from the beginning of June until the end of September, it presents a nightly roster of original release, first-run movies (usually in English, with Greek subtitles).  Besides the nightly Hollywood entertainment, Cine Manto boasts a cafe-restaurant which operates from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. daily, offering a unique, tree-shaded spot to escape the hustle and bustle of Mykonos and relax with a reasonably-priced breakfast, lunch or BBQ dinner meal and beverages.  The garden also hosts special events as well as mosaic workshops and morning yoga classes offered by Sweat Vacay (you’ll find information about both of those activities on page 2 of that post.

 

Please click on the link below to continue reading on page 2, where we profile fitness, sports and outdoor fun activities; cultural attractions and activities; and boat, sailboat and yacht tours and excursions.

 

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

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How Milos wowed the world … in magazine, website and travel blog articles

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This is the second instalment of a three-part series examining how Milos island became a media sensation around the world in 2021.

In Part 1, we described how Milos’s popularity surged in mainstream travel publications and and websites, as well as in high-profile fashion advertising campaigns, social media posts by music and television celebrities, and more.

Here, in Part 2, we show how Milos made its mark in articles and reports published not only in travel magazines and blogs, but also in publications focussed on business, fashion, architecture, lifestyle, and hotels.

Part 3 takes a look at the impression Milos made in cinematic travel films and in YouTube videos by top international travel vloggers.

 

— Magazine profiles of Milos —

 

Business Insider article about Milos island

The Mandrakia fishing settlement is seen in a photo journalist Mark Ellwood shot for a Business Insider report on Milos’s rising popularity

 

Milos made headlines in Business Insider magazine, which reaches 23 million influential readers. In a report published in late August, writer Mark Ellwood notes that the Greek islands were a top destination for tourists seeking a holiday break during the ongoing Covid pandemic. But Milos appears to be attracting additional attention this year, he says. Like better-known Greek islands, Milos “has seemed both safe and accessible. For its extra buzz, though, credit a combination of the mines, the media, and Mediterranean yacht culture,” Ellwood observes.

Milos had a long mining history thanks to its mineral-rich volcanic geology, which blessed the island with unbelievably colourful cliffs, coastlines and beaches  — a huge draw for Instagrammers and fashion photographers seeking unusual and exotic landscapes for their photo and video shoots. As Ellwood notes, “Its Insta-ready landscape is a viral-marketing asset for models and brands.” And since many of the striking landscapes are best viewed from the sea, Milos has become “a must-stop on Mediterranean yachting itineraries.”

Ellwood interviews local entrepreneurs, travel experts and top influencers to learn more about why Milos has become such a desirable destination, particularly for premium travellers.

Read what they had to say in his insightful report, Everyone is flocking to the Greek island of Milos right now.

 

Best Hotels in Greece magazine article about Milos island

A scene from Sarakiniko beach illustrates a feature story on Milos in the digital magazine 500 Best Hotels Greece

 

“Milos is a phenomenon of colours, architecture, natural beauty, geology, history and culture, tradition,” notes a feature article published in the spring/summer edition of 500 Best Hotels Greece.

The 15-page piece provides interesting details and descriptions of the island’s villages and its myriad beautiful landscapes and natural attractions, including beaches and coastal areas. The article is informative, but worth checking out simply to have a look at the nearly three dozen gorgeous photos that accompany the text. The magazine asserts that Milos is a “dazzlingly beautiful island,” and the images conclusively support that claim.

The article is free to read in a digital version on the 500 Best Hotels Greece website.

The story and full edition of the magazine can also be read in the 500 Best Hotels Greece Issue No. 4 version on the Issuu.com app.

 

Minoan Wave magazine article on Milos island

A Sarakiniko landscape scene illustrates a Milos article that appeared in summer edition of  Minoan Wave magazine, published by Greek ferry company Minoan Lines.

 

For her Minoan Wave magazine article Milos Confidential, writer Asteropi Lazaridou spoke to two Milos residents to get local insights into the island’s “exceptional beaches and special places.”

Emmanouela Kaoustou, owner of  the traditional products shop Milokipos, struggled to suggest a short-list of her five favourite beaches simply because the island has so many she likes, each one different from the other. “In general, this is one of the many positive things about Milos, it has countless beaches, small unspoilt spots, you have endless choices and you can find somewhere to be almost alone, even in high season,” she says. Kaoustou also explains why Milos is often called “the ultimate island for couples.”

Anastasis Karvounis, who manages accommodation rentals in various parts of the island, describes what visitors will discover during night walks in Adamantas and Plaka, and explains why “Milos is an island for foodies.” He also talks about a personal favourite place on the island — “the abandoned sulfur mines and the magnificent beach that lies beneath them.”

The article, along with half a dozen beautiful photos of Milos scenery, can be found at page 126 of the Minoan Wave 2021 digital edition on Issuu.com.

 

 

Travel greece article about Milos island

In July, the Travel.gr website published an easy-to-read Milos guide that suggests cool things to do and see, as well as places to eat and sleep

 

“Milos is an island that has it all: beaches of unbelievable beauty, eerie settings, catacombs, old pirate stories, volcanic craters, Cycladic hospitality, superb all-suite hotels, and a sensational sunset,” writer Voula Akrivaki says in an introduction to a Milos guide she compiled for the Greece travel experience website Travel.gr (the piece was translated into English by George Kolyvas). “In an inexplicable way, the island has an immediate calming effect on visitors. It is home to Europe’s biggest mineral mine and offers over 70 beaches capable of covering all moods and preferences,” she adds.

The easy-to-read guide suggests things to do and places to see, with a specific section on where to swim, and also recommends notable restaurants and accommodation options.

The article includes a scenic 4.5-minute aerial video of top island attractions.

Milos: Island of contrasts and balance was published on July 6 2021.

 

Hemispheres article Three Perfect Days Greece

A sailboat excursion was one of the Milos highlights described in a trip report for the United Airlines magazine, Hemispheres 

 

Writer Ellen Carpenter paid a whirlwind visit to Athens and Milos to pen a “Three perfect days” feature article for Hemispheres, the on-board magazine of United Airlines.

We were amazed to read about all the places and things that Carpenter was able to see and do during her extremely limited time on Milos. Despite a late afternoon arrival by plane, she managed a visit to Sarakiniko and a dinner at O! Hamos in Adamas, where we’ve had superb meals ourselves.

The next day, she enjoyed a sailboat day tour with Thalassitra Sailing, which took passengers to Kalogries beach, Kleftiko, Tsigrado and Paleochori beaches, and Polyaigos island, passing Klima village on the return to Adamas. Carpenter’s evening diversions included a tour and wine tasting at Kostantakis Winery followed by a delicious meal at Armenaki restaurant on the Pollonia village waterfront.

Although we recommend staying a minimum of three nights on Milos (we suggest planning for five or more), Carpenter’s article shows just how much a visitor can see during a quick island hop when more time simply isn’t available.

Carpenter’s conclusion: “The Greek islands are more alluring than ever, and Milos, in particular, is seducing visitors with its siren song of serenity and otherworldly beauty. Heed the call.”

Get the full details in her July 30 2021 report Three Perfect Days in Greece

 

Paros vs Milos article from Journeying the Globe website

 Journeying the Globe considers whether Milos or Paros is the “better” island to visit

 

The adventure travel blog Journeying the Globe pitted Paros against Milos for an interesting comparison piece in the spring.

In Paros vs Milos: Which Greek destination is better to visit, published March 19 2021, freelance writer Joseph examined similarities and contrasts between the two Cycladic islands based on important travel criteria such as price, food, accommodations, beaches, getting around, things to do, and “general vibe.”

“Both of these islands are mega stunners,” Joseph says.

But we won’t be spoilers by revealing his conclusion as to which might be better than the other — we recommend you read Joe’s post to see what he advises, and why.

 

Greek island hopping article in The Telegraph

Milos was one of three spellbinding Cycladic islands profiled in an island-hopping article in The Telegraph

 

Milos was the first stop in a short summer island-hopping getaway by writer Michelle Jana Chan.

In a brief trip report for The Telegraph, she relates renting a car “to explore the seahorse-shaped island known for tales of unscrupulous pirates in centuries past,” swimming and cliff-jumping at Sarakiniko, and visiting the place where the Venus de Milo sculpture was discovered.

Her easy-to-read article can be read in the August 8 2021 article An island-hopping journey across the dreamy, ethereal Aegean.

 

— Mini-guides recommending Milos —

Coveteur magazine article on Milos and other Greek Islands

 

The Milos port town Adamantas (also known as Adamas) is seen in the lead photo for a Coveteur magazine mini-guide to the Cyclades islands

 

In July, lifestyle publication Coveteur magazine  cited Milos as one of  The 7 best under-the-radar Greek Islands to visit.

“Milos, in all of its rustic, small-town charm, is unanimously beloved by locals and visitors alike,” says writer Monica Mendal.

Her mini island-hopping guide is a quick and easy read since each of the seven islands is described in a succinct one-paragraph blurb that suggests  top places to visit, dine and stay. But  it does confirm what others have been saying — Milos is one of the best lesser-known islands in the Cyclades, and offers a completely different holiday experience than the heavily-touristed Mykonos and Santorini.

 

Robb Report article on 9 Greek Islands

 Robb Report recommends Milos for romance seekers

 

Milos made it onto another list of recommended Greek islands, this time in an August 24 article in Robb Report, a global luxury publication read by more than 571,000 high-net-worth people in 28 countries.

Penned by Emma Reynolds, the quick-to-read mini-guide suggests 9 Greek islands where every kind of traveler can escape the crowds.

Reynolds selected what she thought would be the best islands to visit based on specific personal travel preferences such as history, adventure, wellness, family time and more. In describing Milos as her choice as an ideal destination for romance, she explains why Milos is known as “the island for lovers,” and advises where visitors can experience the island’s “true spirit.”

 

Vogue UK article on lesser known Greek islands to visit

The postcard-pretty fishing settlement of Mandrakia is shown in the heading for a U.K. Vogue guide to Milos and four other islands

 

“A place of cliffs and higgledy-piggledy boathouses, there’s an otherworldly allure at play here,” writer Harriet Charnock-Bates says of Milos in her article 5 lesser known Greek islands you can still visit this summer, published August 19 in the British edition of Vogue magazine.

She short-lists unique beaches “worth writing home about,” suggests how to enjoy “a superlative view of the coastline,” and recommends where to go to “watch the sun melt into the Aegean.”

 

— Travel blog articles —

 

The World Pursuit article 20 things to do on Milos

The World Pursuit travel blog compiled a guide to  beaches, villages and other top attractions on Milos

 

Well-travelled digital nomads Natasha Alden and Cameron Seagle visited Milos for the first time this summer, and compiled a comprehensive travel guide for their website, The World Pursuit.

“Milos has everything you could want out of a trip to the Greek islands. Great food? Epic beaches? Amazing sunsets? Friendly people? Yup! All those things are what make Milos so special,” says the introduction to the blog post 20 best things to do in Milos, Greece,  which was written by Natasha.

As expected, beaches figure prominently on their must-see list, but villages (including Mandrakia, where they stayed), sunset viewing spots, historic sites and day trips to nearby off-the-beaten path islands also made their top 20 round-up. As did Medusa, the restaurant where Justin Bieber popped in for his now-famous sardine lunch.

The World Pursuit guide includes a map and general information about transportation around the island, places to stay, and best times to visit. But what we enjoyed  the most were the gorgeous photos that illustrate the article.

 

Once Upon A Journey article about Milos beaches

The Once Upon a Journey blog profiled the most famous as well as a few little-known beaches on Milos

 

Milos holds bragging rights to a staggering number of beaches — anywhere from 30 to 40, according to most travel publications, or as many as 84, a figure mentioned in the Hemispheres magazine article Three Perfect Days in Greece, which we showed you earlier in this post. Though the actual number may be open to question, travel experts do agree the island is blessed with an extensive variety of beaches — far more, in fact, than most visitors would ever have time to see (let alone find).

Yet, despite the staggering number of seaside spots to choose from, most travel writers tend to visit and refer to pretty much the same areas as everyone else: Sarakiniko, Tsigrado, Papafragas, Fyriplaka, Paleochori, Provatas, Firopotamos and Kleftiko. Those may be among the most popular and most-visited (no surprise there, since they get the most publicity), but there are so many other unique and interesting beaches waiting to be discovered. So we were happy to see that the Once Upon A Journey blog post 21x best beaches in Milos to visit recommended several of the less familiar but nonetheless splendid seasides.

The listing, by Dutch travel bloggers Maartje Hensen and Roxanne Weijer, is filled with terrific photos of the island’s world-famous swimming spots as well as off-the-beaten path beaches and serene, secluded coves that can be reached only by boat. The accompanying text describes each place and indicates what, if any, facilities (beach beds, taverns, canteens) might be available for visitors.

We were glad that Maartje and Roxanne included the Sykia cave on their list; it was one of the two most memorable stops on our sailboat tour of Milos in 2007 (the other was Kleftiko), as well as one of the most amazing natural sights we have seen in all the Greek islands, yet it rarely appears on the radar for many bloggers and travel writers. (You can read about our own excursion, and see our photos from the cavern, in our blog post Our sailboat tour to Sykia and Kleftiko on Milos.)

 

— Architecture & design magazine profiles of Voronoi’s Corrals on Milos —

 

IFDM article on the Hourglass Corral vacation home on Milos island

 Hourglass Corral vacation house in Milos Greece

An astounding holiday home and agricultural complex on Milos enthralled the world’s architecture and design communities in 2021. Two design publications, IFDM (top) and domus, profiled the project this year.

 

Milos came to the attention of architecture and home design enthusiasts and professionals when industry publications profiled Hourglass Corral / Voronoi’s Corrals, an extraordinary holiday home and agricultural complex built into a hillside above the island’s southern coast.

An award-winning design by Athens-based DECA Architecture, the project was completed in 2020 and attracted international publicity this year when building and design magazines published feature stories and photos of the amazing property.

A video presentation on the DECA website describes the remarkable project as a “residential landscape” that proposes “a new paradigm for sustainable development, where agricultural production co-exists harmoniously with inhabitation.”

You can read about the project and view photos in:

♦ the October 28 2021 article Vanishing into Nature, published by IFDM | Furniture Interior Design Magazine; and

♦ the June 16 2021 feature In Milos, DECA Architecture rethinks the vacation house, published by the Italian architecture, design and art magazine domus.

Even better is the DECA Architecture website page for Voronoi’s Corrals, which is chock full of information about the project as well as fabulous photos and videos of the property and its breathtaking location on Milos. The images and film offer incredible views of Milos you won’t see in travel publications or blogger videos.

 

— Milos hotel profile & review articles —

 

Milos hotel guide from Travel + Style website

Hotel review site Travel + Style spotlights 21 cool places to stay on Milos — and gives honourable mention to two dozen others

 

Until just several years ago, travel writers often commented that one of the few drawbacks to visiting Milos was its rather limited range of accommodations, and its even scarcer supply of upscale digs.  As a consequence, Milos “has been overlooked as a high-end holiday destination,” notes the luxury hotel review website Travel + Style, which is read by a well-travelled and affluent global audience.

But “discerning travellers” are now discovering Milos, thanks to a “thrilling new wave of cool hotel openings,” the website says in its June 22 2021 feature story, The ultimate guide to the best chic hotels in Milos, Greece.

The article is illustrated with beautiful, dreamy photos that might give you the instant urge to pack your bags and book suites at one of the 21 highlighted hotels. The report also lists another two dozen accommodation properties that the website says are worth checking into. We found the pictures of views from the Milos Breeze and Aqua House to be the most appealing of the bunch, but we undoubtedly would be happy to stay at any of the places that made it onto the Travel + Style list.

 

Greek Australian hoteliers on Milos island

Australian newspaper The Greek Herald profiled three Greek-Australian women who opened the White Pebble Suites this year

 

One of the this year’s new arrivals, White Pebble Suites, received widespread publicity and acclaim both before and after its official opening in mid-June.

Situated in Pollonia, the luxury boutique hotel was established by three Greek-Australian women — Lefka Georgantis, Helen Logas and Aphrodite Lambrou — who share backgrounds in the travel and hospitality sectors.

In the June 20 2021 article Greek Australian trio set off on new hotel adventure in Milos, The Greek Herald newspaper from Australia tells how the women brought their hotel project from just a dream to reality.

White Pebble Suites also caught the eye of the Danish design and interior company Tine K Home, whose website published the profile Hideaway on Milos, Greece’s most photogenic island.

In July, the Greek travel, culture and lifestyle website Insights Greece wrote about White Pebble Suites in its article Stunning new boutique hotel opens in Milos.

The hotel also drew praise from Fodor’s Travel, which ranked it as one of The ten dreamiest hotels in the Greek Islands. and from The Sunday Times, which listed it in the November 18 piece Best Greek island hotels.

And it was featured in the White Pebble Suites: Hotel in Pollonia profile on the hotel and travel website Stay Some Days.

You can see more of the hotel at its own web and social media links:

Website: White Pebble Suites

Instagram: @whitepebblesuites

Facebook: @whitepebblesuites

 

The Hotel Trotter profile article on White Coast Pool Suites on Milos island

The Hotel Trotter says the White Coast Pool Suites embraces its guests in “an enchanting microcosm of haute bohemia.”

 

Milos welcomed a second new luxury hotel in mid-June — White Coast Pool Suites — and it, too, swiftly grabbed the attention of international travel and hotel websites and publications.

Advance publicity included the Home Journal article White Coast Pool Suites set to open its door in June, and the Forbes magazine preview of 69 of the newest summer hotel openings around the world.  The French edition of Vanity Fair magazine also gave the hotel a thumbs-up in its report, Les hôtels qui nous font rêver au bords de la Méditerranée.

In the Travel + Style feature that we discussed earlier, White Coast ranked #1 on their list of 21 chic hotels on Milos.

Greek journalist Eleni Stasinopoulou spent several days at White Coast in July, and recounted her sumptuous experience in a profile published in The Hotel Trotter, a website focused “on stylish hotel moments around the globe.”

Her article Feeling relaxed and pampered at White Coast Pool Suites Milos describes the boutique hotel as “an ultra-luxurious, adult-only accommodation that perfectly balances the island life in the raw with the high-end pampering,” and notes it was “created to meet the high standards of the romantic jet setters of this world.”

Stasinopoulou’s piece also looks at the hotel’s poolside restaurant, Bianco Drinks & Gastronomy.

Meanwhile, one of the hotel’s first guests was Sabrina Chakici, who details her delightful experience there in a clip posted at the top of Part 3 of this series.  She gives viewers a tour of her suite and private infinity pool, as well as the hotel restaurant and main swimming pool, starting at the 6:30 mark of her video.

 

Continue reading and watch the videos in Part 3: How Milos wowed the world in videos and travel vlog reports

How Milos wowed the world … in videos and travel vlog reports

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This is the third instalment of a three-part series examining how Milos island became a media sensation around the world in 2021.

In Part 1, we described how Milos’s popularity surged in mainstream travel publications and and websites, as well as in high-profile fashion advertising campaigns, social media posts by music and television celebrities, and more.

In Part 2, we showed how Milos made its mark in articles and reports published not only in travel magazines and blogs, but also in publications focussed on business, fashion, architecture, lifestyle, and hotels.

Here, in Part 3, we let you take a look at the impression Milos made in cinematic travel films and in YouTube videos by top international travel vloggers.

 

— Travel vlog videos —

 

Sabrina Chakici introduces viewers to Kleftiko, two beaches, Plaka and the brand-new White Coast Pool Suites

 

In June, London-based TV presenter and travel blogger Sabrina Chakici returned to Milos to spend a few days on what she calls her favourite Greek island as well as her favourite place in the whole world.

Her 12-minute video is titled after the newly-opened luxury hotel she stayed at, but she doesn’t show it until the second half of her clip. During the first six  minutes, she takes a Polco Sailing excursion to Kleftiko, where she swims, snorkels and explores the sea caves where pirates once hid from sight. She then enjoys some seaside time at Fyriplaka and Agios Sostis beaches, and strolls through Plaka village. Over the final six minutes, she gives her audience glimpses of her hotel room and its private pool, and the hotel’s stunning sea and sunset views.

On Sabrina’s Instagram page, you can see Milos photos and videos that she posted between June 27 and July 4. There are more Milos pictures on Sabrina’s Facebook page; look for her posts on June 30, July 1 to 4, and July 28 to see those.

 

Vloggers Tim & Fin travel to Milos to see first-hand why the island has become so popular

 

Full-time travellers and vloggers Tim & Finn spent four nights on Milos during their summer island-hopping trip, and compiled this 23-and-a-half minute video to let their 138,000 subscribers on YouTube judge if Milos might be the “best” island in all of Greece. With Sarakiniko beach providing an eye-catching backdrop, they introduce their destination by noting that Milos has become “super popular in travel blogs and with Instagrammers because of how photogenic this specific beach is.” But they’re quick to point out that Sarakiniko isn’t the only Instagram-worthy place to see.

“This island is the queen of unique beaches,” Fin notes, as the couple heads out to discover Papafragas, Tsigrado and Fyriplaka beaches, as well as the port town Adamantas, Plaka village and the colourful Klima seaside settlement. We think their video does a great job of capturing the awe-striking scenery just as it appears in person — there are jaw-dropping drone views, shots from on the ground and in the water (including their cliff jumping escapades at Sarakiniko), and on-the-road perspectives from the 125 cc scooter they rented to get around. One of our personal favourite moments in the clip is Tim and Finn’s sunset-viewing experience from the mountainside church of Panagia Thalassitra at Plaka.

Tim and Fin also give viewers a quick tour of their squeaky-clean Airbnb accommodations (Villa Tasoula Sunrise Apartments near Papakinou beach), while Fin offers excellent tips and advice for people who might plan to visit Sarakiniko for some cliff jumping and swimming fun of their own.

There’s more Milos photos and videos on the pair’s various social media accounts:

Web links: Tim and Fin Travel

Blog: Tim + Fin Travel

Instagram: @Tim and Fin

YouTube: TIM and FIN

 

 The Other Side vloggers Ana and Ian show why “the Island of Colours” is the “most exotic island in Greece”

 

 American vloggers Ana and Ian paid a short visit to Milos at the 5-week mark of their 3-month-long tour through Greece, Turkey and Europe, and compiled this 14.5-minute clip to show their 105,000 YouTube channel subscribers why they consider Milos a “must-visit” Greek destination. 

They take viewers to three major beaches:  Fyriplaka  (which the couple calls “the best beach on Milos”), Tsigrado and Sarakiniko, as well as the island capital, Plaka village, where they enjoyed dinner and a sublime sunset.

The video shows some of the many “amazing things to do” on Milos and offers helpful travel tips and practical advice. There are breathtaking drone views of the incredible coast and landscape scenery, underwater and in-water footage captured while snorkeling at Fyriplaka and cliff-jumping at Tsigrado, views from their cute Fiat rental car, and scenes from their walkabout in Plaka.

Give it a watch to see why Ana said Milos “is so much better than Santorini” and has “some of the prettiest water we’ve ever seen.”

Check out their social media pages for additional photos and videos from Milos, other places in Greece, and elsewhere in the world:

Website: The Other Side

Instagram: @The Other Side Vlog

YouTube: The Other Side

 

Zach and Ine from the World Wide Heart chose beaches, villages and an ancient cultural monument for their list of 10 best things to see on Milos

 

Milos was our favorite island in Greece because it’s just so relaxed and beautiful,” say Zach and Ine, the peripatetic pair who explore extraordinary places around the globe on their World Wide Hearts travel vlog and website.

In October, they published this 13-minute video to highlight what they concluded are the 10 best things to see on Milos.

Not surprisingly, beaches grabbed the majority of spots on their Top 10 list, while three villages and a historic site rounded out their ranking.

Among their favourites was Papafragas, which boasts “one of the most unusual rock formations you’ll see in your life.”  The fishing settlement Klima also impressed as “one of the most beautiful spots to enjoy a sunset and a seafood dinner in the Greek islands.” And Glaronisia Tavern in Tripiti got a shout-out for its stunning sea views and “some of the tastiest food on the entire island.”

We really liked this video for its aerial drone views and other unique perspectives, particularly of the Papafragas rock formations and caves, and the sunset views from the kastro above Plaka.

We won’t give away what Zach and Ine selected as their #1 place to see — you’ll have to watch their clip to find out. But we’ll give you a hint: Zach says it “has a perfect mix of adventure, peacefulness and natural beauty.”

They also offer a great piece of practical advice about the best type of vehicle to rent for moving easily around the island.

You can find more photos and information on their website and social media pages at the following links:

Website: World Wide Hearts

Instagram: @World Wide Hearts

Facebook: World Wide Hearts

YouTube: World Wide Hearts

 

Dana Berez recaps a 5-day visit to breathtaking beaches, restaurants and a winery

 

We suggest you grab a coffee, glass of wine or other beverage to enjoy while you watch this video by travel and lifestyle vlogger Dana Berez — it’s a 45-minute-long tour to remarkable beaches, coastal areas and other lovely locations on Milos.

The film follows Dana during a 5-day visit, during which she stayed at Kostantakis Winery and Residences in Pollonia. You’ll see her accommodations and join her at the winery for a wine tasting and vineyard stroll, and you get to tag along for her dinners at Yialos and Akrotiri restaurants in Pollonia, a lunch at Medusa, and a dinner at Glaronisia taverna in Tripiti.  Daytime outings include stops at Papafragas, Firopotamos, Tsigrado and Fyriplaka beaches and Mandraki village, while there are sunset visits to Sarakiniko and Plaka, and an evening stroll along the Pollonia harbourfront.

However, the highlight of Dana’s trip was a Polco Sailing boat tour that departed from Paleochori and made stops at Kalamos beach, Gerontas beach, and what Dana describes as the “crown jewel” of the day-long excursion, Kleftiko.

You can see more video and photos of Milos in posts shared between September 7 and 12 on Dana’s Instagram page, while you can find Milos travel and beach guides on her website.

 

Virtual Trip takes viewers on short walkabouts at the seafront of Pollonia village (top),  in the port town of Adamas (center) and at the island capital, Plaka

 

If you haven’t been to Milos yet, these three videos from the Virtual Trip channel on YouTube will give you a good idea of what you can expect to see in the main port town of Adamas, as well as in the villages of Pollonia and Plaka.

The 3-minute Pollonia clip provides views of the village’s seafront and beach areas, while the 4-minute Adamas video takes a wander through some of the town streets and along the harbourside. The Plaka film clocks in at nearly seven minutes, and shows street scenes as well as some of the wonderful views from various vantage points in the mountaintop village.

 

Earth Sound Walks makes you feel like you are taking your own scenic 26-minute stroll through Plaka

 

The island capital and highest-situated village, Plaka, is a must-see for visitors, and is routinely recommended as one of the best places to watch the sunset.

Watching this video will give you an excellent sense of what it’s like to wander around the village lanes, especially if you wear headphones to listen to the soundtrack. There’s no narration — just the sounds of people walking, talking, dining and exploring Plaka. For descriptions of what you’re seeing, and other information about the village, be sure to turn on the subtitles/closed captions.

We stayed in Plaka for four nights during our second trip to Milos in 2011, and this clip stoked many good memories of our own meanderings in the area. It made us feel like we were right back there, exploring all over again.

 

  A 36-minute trek with Earth Sound Walks on the other-worldly white rock landscapes at Sarakiniko

 

This second video from the Earth Sound Walks channel on YouTube will take you on another intriguing stroll, this time along the fascinating rock formations at the Sarakiniko coast. Again, there’s no narration — simply the sounds of nature and the videographers stepping along the undulating stone landscape. Make certain to turn on the subtitles/closed caption setting so you can read the background information that accompanies the visuals.

 

 Παρασκευας Καρβουνιαρης captured drone views of impressive Milos scenery

 

In early 2021, videographer Παρασκευας Καρβουνιαρης created these short drone videos of some of the top sights and attractions on Milos.

The first film runs for just 3.5 minutes and offers aerial views of the port town Adamantas, three of the island’s most famous beaches and coast areas (Fyriplaka, Tsigrado, and Sarakiniko), and the fishing settlement and beach at Firopotamos.

Attractions in the second video include Gerontas beach, the Ancient Theatre, the sulphur mine at Thiorichia beach, a whitewashed chapel on the slopes below Plaka, the fishing settlements Klima and Mandrakia, undersea views of the Sarakiniko shipwreck, the Sarakiniko coast, Pollonia village, and more. The  beneath-the-waves footage of the rusty shipwreck near Sarakiniko is unique; we can’t recall ever seeing scuba diving or snorkeling films of the wreck anywhere else.

 

In Milos, filmmaker Roman Palii and his drone fly you above exhilarating coastal locations you won’t see in other Milos travel videos

 

Last but definitely not least, we leave you with a terrific cinematic travel video created by Roman Palii from the YouTube channel Drone ‘N’ Travel. He published his film in the autumn of 2020, but since it displays exhilarating views of picturesque places and superlative scenery that weren’t mentioned or shown in any of the other videos or photos from 2021 that we’ve included in this post, we simply had to add it for your viewing pleasure.

Besides his awe-striking aerial views of Plaka, Tripiti, Klima, Firopotamos, Tsigrado, Mandrakia, and Sarakiniko, Palii flies you to Fourkovouni, Areti, the coast near Nerodafni beach, Paparodi beach, the sulphur mine at Theiafes, the caves at Papafragas and the tunnels beneath Sarakiniko. It’s a truly spectacular 3.5-minute tour!

Art, food, fashion, hotels, shops, clubs, parties & more: What’s new on Mykonos for 2019

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Rizes Folklore Farmstead in Mykonos exterior photo from the business page on Facebook

Olive Tree Mykonos sunset view dining terrace photo from the restaurant page on Facebook

Blue Marlin Ibiza Mykonos beachfront photo from the official club page on Facebook

Mykonos Olive Oil Tasting photo from its official page on Facebook

Aegon Mykonos exterior photo from the hotel page on Facebook

Contemporary sculpture in the garden at the Blue Fusion Art Restaurant

Open air dining patio at Taverna Kandavlos on Mykonos

Moussaka photo from the Olive Tree Mykonos restaurant website

Apiro Mykonos hotel website photo of a standard triple room interior

Sea bass tartare dish photo from the I Frati Mykonos restaurant page on Facebook

Sanctus Mykonos photo from the nightclub page on Facebook

Fresh fish on the grill at Sealicious by Kounelas restaurant on Mykonos

Sunset view from Chill Out Lounge Bar Cafe at the Chill Out Studios on MMykonos

Nusr-et Steakhouse Mykonos photo from the restaurant page on Facebook

Evripides Art Gallery Art & Fashion Project with Dimitris Ntasios at 30 Kalogera Street in Mykonos

From the top: Rizes Folklore Farmstead & Restaurant; the seaview patio at Olive Tree restaurant; sunbeds at Blue Marlin Ibiza Mykonos beach club; a flight of sampling glasses at Mykonos Olive Oil Tasting; Aegon Mykonos hotel at Kalo Livadi; one of the artworks in the sculpture garden at Blue Fusion Art Restaurant; the patio at Taverna Kandavlos; moussaka at Olive Tree restaurant; inside a room at Apiro-Mykonos hotel; sea bass tartare at I Frati restaurant; a lounge at Sanctus after-hours nightclub; fresh fish on the grill at Sealicious by Kounelas; sunset view from Chill Out Lounge Bar Cafe; a signature Salt Bae steak at Nusr-Et; contemporary art and one-of-a-kind designer fashions at the Dassios boutique/Evripides Art Gallery.

 

New & noteworthy: Besides the iconic white Cycladic architecture, sparkling Aegean Sea and brilliant sunshine, there’s much to bedazzle first-time visitors to Mykonos — a dizzying array of glitzy shops, glam restaurants, bustling bars and chic accommodations among them. With dozens of new establishments opening on the island each year, Mykonos maintains its famously vibrant and exciting atmosphere for returning visitors and local residents alike.

This summer has been no exception, as I have discovered: More than thirty new enterprises that have set up shop in and around Mykonos Town, at some of the famous beaches and elsewhere on the island. The newcomers include places to eat, drink, party, shop and sleep, plus some enlightening and fascinating attractions and activities.

Among the noteworthy highlights of this year’s arrivals:

♦ A new beach club at Kalo Livadi, sunset boat party cruises to Rhenia island, and a really, really, really cool place to get an ice cold drink. And, for night owls, three new spots to party into the wee hours of the morning;

♦ Fun olive oil tasting workshops where participants can sample some of the best Greek extra virgin olive oils and learn how to pair oils with food to elevate flavours and make their home cooking shine;

♦ Four art new galleries and exhibition spaces — including one outdoors — showcasing contemporary Greek art and sculpture; 

♦ Over half a dozen boutiques and summer pop-ups offering fashionistas even more places to shop and browse exclusive designer clothing and accessories in Mykonos Town and at Psarou beach;

♦ A meticulously recreated Mykonian farmstead where tourists can experience what life was like on the island in the days before electricity and Internet, view folk art exhibitions, take cooking and bread baking classes, and dine on breakfasts and traditionally-prepared meals in the farm restaurant;

♦ A wide range of accommodations with lodging options ranging from rental studios and apartments to luxury hotels and beach resorts boasting suites and villas with private pools;

♦ A vast array of appetite-whetting places to enjoy food and beverages, including new coffee and dessert shops; street food cafes; vegan and healthy food eateries; and restaurants specializing in fish, seafood or sushi; meat dishes; pizza; crepes; breakfast & brunch; comfort food; and Greek, Italian, Mediterranean and international cuisine. 

 

Starting on page 2, I have compiled profiles of the new businesses, complete with photos, videos and links to their websites and social media pages (where available) so you can learn more and follow them if interested. I have deliberately packed this blog post with images so that readers who haven’t been to Mykonos before can get a good grasp of what Greece’s most sophisticated, cosmopolitan and international island is all about.

And just in case you think Mykonos is only a place where people go to party, bear in mind that the island also happens to be a major dining destination. With more than 400 places to eat, it’s a foodie delight, offering not just traditional and gourmet Greek food, fish and seafood, but also contemporary, internationally-inspired cuisines from around the globe.

Since many of the newcomers to Mykonos this season are restaurants and cafes, I have included plenty of pictures to show some of the food they serve — appetizers, main courses, breakfasts and desserts. But here’s an important warning: Don’t continue reading if you’re the least bit hungry; otherwise, you could feel absolutely ravenous by the time you finish scrolling through all the food photos!

Crystal View Mykonos view photo from the rental property Facebook page

Healthylicious Mykonos breakfast dish seen in a photo from the restaurant page on Facebook

Displays inside the Philipp Plein boutique at Nammos Village shopping center on Mykonos

Venus Gallery at the Aphrodite Beach Resort Mykonos photo from Facebook

Sunset view from Apiro Mykonos Hotel

Yomamas street food restaurant Mykonos food photo from the restaurant page on Instagram

Mykonos Boat Club promotional image for its sunset boat party cruises to Rhenia island

Major J Breakfast and Branch patio photo from the restaurant page on Facebook

Bulgari pop up store on Mykonos seen in a photo from the Nammos Village shopping center page on Facebook

Street view of LAragosta Mykonos in a photo from the restaurant website

Jennys Summer Houses Mykonos grand villa room interior photo from the property website

Burger platter photo by Cantina Mykonos street food restaurant

Blue Fusion Art Restaurant Mykonos patio photo from the restaurants website

I Frati Mykonos wine racks photo from the restaurant Facebook page

Partying in dayglo faux furs at Ice Bar Mykonos as seen in a photo from the bar page on Instagram

Entertainment at Cirque Mykonos nightclub seen in a photo from the club page on Instagram

My Plate Mykonos chicken skewer dinners photo from the restaurant page on Facebook

From the top: The view from Crystal View rooms above Megali Ammos; a breakfast dish at Healthylicious; the Philipp Plein boutique at Nammos Village; Venus Gallery at the Aphrodite Beach Resort; a sunset view from Apiro-Mykonos Hotel; a breakfast meal at Yo’Mamas Street Food Cafe; partying on the Mykonos Boat Club cruise to Rhenia; the outdoor patio at Major J Breakfast & Brunch; the Bulgari boutique at Nammos Village shopping center; night view of L’Aragosta Italian restaurant; inside the Grand Villa at Jenny’s Summer Houses;  a burger platter at Cantina street food eatery; the patio at Blue Fusion Art bar & restaurant;  shelves of wine in the deli shop at I Frati restaurant; partiers wearing dayglo faux furs at Ice Bar Mykonos; one of the entertainment acts at Cirque nightclub; skewers of marinated & grilled chicken at My Plate Mykonos.

 

Please click on a link below to read about what’s new on Mykonos in 2019.

Page 2 profiles new bars, beach clubs, nightclubs and party boat cruises;

Page 3 presents new cafes and restaurants;

Page 4 looks at new attractions and activities, art galleries, and fashion shops.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

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Santorini sights and attractions– just as a tourist sees them

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 Pierre Marteau compiled this overview video of places and attractions he visited during a trip to Santorini in 2017

 

Eye level views:  I discovered a brand-new Santorini travel video on Vimeo today, and wanted to share it immediately so any of my readers planning a first-time visit to the island can see how it really looks in person.

Santorini 2017 is a 9-minute film that Pierre Marteau published on January 14. What I particularly like about the clip is that it wasn’t filmed with a drone, as so many Santorini videos tend to be nowadays. Although drones capture amazing aerial views of the island’s spectacular landscape scenery, no visitor is ever going to see it from the same perspective. On the other hand, Pierre’s eye-level video shows exactly how sights and attractions will appear as you look around while exploring the island.

Places shown in the video include:

♦  Santorini’s main town, Fira

♦  the traditional village of Pyrgos

♦  the black sand beach at Kamari

♦  the romantic and extremely picturesque clifftop village of Oia, which is perhaps the most famous place for sunset viewing in all the Greek islands.

The video also shows what you’ll see riding the cable car to the cruise ship and excursion boat docks in the Old Port below Fira, and while taking one of the popular boat tours to the hot springs and the nearby volcano island of Nea Kameni.  Of course, the video also captures views of some of the beautiful bougainvillea and flowers, colourful houses, iconic blue-domed chapels, and marvellous sunsets that together make Santorini one of the most-photographed places in Greece.

And you’ll see some of the island’s controversial donkeys and mules, which I hope none of my readers will ride while visiting Santorini. If you don’t know why you shouldn’t climb atop any of these animals for a ride up or down the caldera cliff paths, please read my post Don’t ride the donkeys! Why tourists should avoid taking the mule ‘taxis’ on Santorini

Note that Santorini 2017 is a compilation video that Pierre put together from several other clips he shot on Santorini. You can view all of those films — which show other top Santorini attractions, such as Akrotiri and Ancient Thera, on Pierre’s VIMEO page.

 

Visiting Delos in 2017

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This short video includes aerial views of Delos island, film of the excursion boats that ferry visitors between Mykonos and Delos and, at the 1:39 mark of the clip,  a schedule of boat trips and prices for tickets and guided tours in 2017

 

Time changes: If you’re visiting Mykonos this summer and hope to take a daytrip to explore the historic ruins and museum at nearby Delos island, take note there has been a slight change to the time excursion boats will return from Delos in the evening during 2017. The last boat back to Mykonos will now depart Delos at 7:30 p.m., a half hour earlier than last year.  

That’s the only significant change (so far, at least) to the information provided in my Visiting Delos in 2016 blog post. Prices for the boat rides remain at €20 per adult and €10 for children aged 6 to 12. Kids under 6 can still ride for free. 

Guided half-day tours still cost €50 per adult and €25 per child between 6 and 12 years of age. There is no charge for kids under 6 to join the  guided tours, which are available from May 2 until the end of October.

 

 

The ferry ticket and tour prices do not include the government-imposed fee for admission to the Delos archaeological site, which is €12 per person again this year, and which is payable at the entrance gate on the island.

For full details about Delos excursions from Mykonos, consult the website for Delos Tours — the company that operates the boat service between the islands.

For photos and information about what you can see and do on Delos, check out my previous articles about daytrips to the island

In the meantime, take a look below at the three videos I have posted to inform and inspire you prior to your Delos visit.

 

This 2.5-minute clip, flimed by www.sky-net.co.uk, shows drone views of the Delos archaeological site

 

This 6-minute film, by sitesandphotosvideo, offers an overview of some of the most significant sites on Delos

 

Learn more about Delos and its fascinating history in this beautifully-filmed 23-minute video by Andonis Kioukas

 

Quietly spectacular Skyros

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Enjoy aerial views of the island’s wonderful coastal, mountain, valley and village scenery in the film Skyros 2018 by Skylens (above),  in Skyros – Cinematic Travel Video in 4K by Andre Eckhardt Films (center), and in Skyros – Greece by TreeZone (below) 

 

 

 

~ Editor’s note: This article was updated on September 27 2018 with the addition of the Skyros 2018 video, and on October 2 2019 with the addition of the Skyros Cinematic Travel Video posted above ~

 

Real deal: Want to visit an authentic Greek island that isn’t a mainstream tourist magnet like Mykonos, Rhodes, Santorini, or even its nearby neighbour, Skiathos? Then have a look at Skyros, the southernmost and largest island in the Sporades archipelago. Skyros has everything you would want and expect from a great Greek island holiday destination — impressive landscapes and coastal scenery, inviting beaches, picturesque villages, historic sites, good food, and age-old local traditions — without the massive crowds and commerciality of other islands that have become household names around the world.

Though it is becoming increasingly popular with visitors from around the world, and has an international airport that receives direct charter flights from several European cities during July and August, Skyros is a relatively low-profile destination that isn’t even on the radar for most tourists planning vacations in the Greek islands.

In fact, there were only 3 question-and-answer threads posted on TripAdvisor’s Skyros travel forum in all of 2015, and just 10 in total since 2010. The Skiathos forum, by comparison, had  more than 6,100 conversation threads as of mid-May 2016.

 

 

 

With so much going for the island, It’s rather surprising that Skyros doesn’t get more attention from travellers — especially considering that it gets good press whenever it’s mentioned in social and regular media.

For instance, Skyros was cited as the best destination for alternative travel and holistic holidays in The Telegraph’s January 2016 feature The 19 best Greek islands, and was included in a piece the Independent published about Holidays for single travellers. Also in January, The Irish Examiner published A letter from paradise on the Greek island of Skyros, a journalist’s account of her writing holiday. And in 2015, Thomas Cook Airlines named Skyros as best destination for “healthy lifestyle holidays” in its profile of Greece’s top 10 islands.

Perhaps it’s a good thing Skyros hasn’t become hugely popular — that means it will remain a unique and special place to charm and delight those travellers who do venture off the main tourist paths to pay it a visit. (And that’s one of the chief reasons why Skyros is on my bucket list of islands to see.)

Skyros photo from sail-la-vie.com

Built on the steep slopes of a craggy peak topped by a Byzantine fortress and a  monastery, Chora village is a striking sight on Skyros (Photo from the Municipality of Skyros travel guide)

 

Please continue reading on page 2, where you’ll find more pictures and videos along with links to more than a dozen different websites with Skyros travel information and photos.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

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Daytripping from Mykonos to Tinos

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You can enjoy whirlwind visits to Mykonos and Tinos in this fun hyperlapse video by Alex Baker Photography

 

Easy excursion: People planning trips to Mykonos frequently ask me if it’s possible to visit other islands for either all or part of a day. It certainly is!

Each year, in fact, tens of thousands of people make the short half-day trip from Mykonos to Delos, an uninhabited isle which is one of the most significant historic and archaeological sites in all of Greece. (See my recent post Visiting Delos in 2016 for information about the many different ways to get there.)

The next easiest getaway for a day is to Tinos, which can be reached either by regular ferry service from Mykonos, or on tours organized by excursion companies. Unlike hip Mykonos, which is one of the most contemporary and “touristy” destinations in Greece, Tinos offers a more authentic Greek island atmosphere and visitor experience.

Tom DeBelfore photo of Tripotamos village on Tinos island

Tripotamos, one of 40 traditional villages on Tinos, is seen in a Tom DeBelfore photo from the Tinos, Kykladen/ Τήνος, Κυκλάδες page on Facebook. There’s nothing even remotely comparable to these villages on Mykonos.

 

Mykonos is popular primarily for its beaches, its sophisticated hotels, bars, restaurants and nightlife, its picturesque Mykonos Town commercial center, and its legendary status as one of the leading holiday and party destinations for the international “jet set” since the 1960s.

Tinos has excellent beaches, bars and restaurants, too, but it also boasts sights and features you won’t find anywhere on Mykonos, including fabulous mountain scenery, dozens of traditional villages and settlements, thousands of dovecotes, and the Church of Panagia Evaggelistria, the country’s most-visited Greek Orthodox pilgrimage shrine.  An important center for religion with a long history of marble carving and stone artwork, Tinos gives visitors the opportunity to see a traditional side of Greece that’s almost impossible to find amidst the glitz and glamour of the designer boutiques, trendy nightclubs and posh resorts that abound on Mykonos.

Our Lady of Tinos church

The Church of Panagia Evaggelistria (Our Lady of Tinos) is visited each year by thousands of tourists and Greek Orthodox pilgrims. This photo of the church appeared on the Facebook page for the local TINOS About magazine.

 

Because of their sharply contrasting attributes and attractions, the two islands might seem worlds apart. But since they’re separated by just a short ferry ride across a narrow channel, a daytrip to Tinos would nicely complement a longer stay on Mykonos (or vice versa).

So how can you get to Tinos? If you’re not comfortable arranging your own itinerary, drop into travel agencies or ferry ticket offices in Mykonos Town to inquire about times and prices for guided tours that might be available during your holiday. When you purchase tickets, make certain to ask where you catch your ferry — Mykonos has two ports! (The Old Port is right at Mykonos Town, while the New Port is located over 2 kilometers from town at Tourlos.)

If you would prefer to see Tinos independently, check with the Mykonos ferry ticket agencies for boat schedules on the particular day you’d like to do your daytrip. For years, the Theologos P car and passenger ferry has offered the most reliable and convenient round-trip ferry service between the two islands, with breakfast-time departures and mid-evening returns. Theologos P typically departs the Mykonos New Port around 7:35 a.m., arriving at Tinos Town 30 minutes later. You’ll be able to enjoy a full day of sightseeing and even dinner at a local taverna before sailing back to Mykonos on Theologos P’s 9:35 p.m. return voyage to Mykonos (it reaches the Mykonos New Port shortly past 10 p.m.).

Several other ferries operate between Mykonos and Tinos, but their later departures and earlier returns allow only a few hours on Tinos.  That’s still enough time to take a walk around Tinos Town and visit the island’s world-famous Our Lady of Tinos Church. But after getting to see Tinos for just three hours on our last vacation (see my previous post Our brief intro to Tinos for photos), we strongly recommend arranging as much time on the island as possible.

Friends who have done numerous daytrips say that by catching the Theologos P in the morning, they can take a taxi or bus to one of the mountain villages above Tinos Town, hike back down and spend a few hours sightseeing and having dinner in town. The return trip of Theologos P gets them back to Mykonos while the night is still young. Another possibility, they say, is to rent a car at Tinos Town and spend the day driving around to see some of the 40 villages, thousands of dovecotes and hundreds of chapels scattered across the island’s hills and mountainsides.

Dovecote on Tinos island

Thousands of impressive dovecotes can be spotted all over Tinos. This particular dovecote was renovated and converted into a private residence. (Photo from the tinos-tinos.com travel information website.)

 

If you want to get an idea of what Tinos is like (and also Mykonos, if you haven’t been there yet, either), watch the Hyperlapsing Tinos and Mykonos video that I posted at the top of this article. The 6.5-minute film will give you a speedy tour through the lanes and alleys of Tinos Town and Mykonos Town, and will take you to other parts of each island as well. It even shows some of the coastal scenery you’ll see on both islands during the ferry ride.

You can see more of Tinos in the video Tinos Greece 2015, below. It’s actually a slideshow presentation of photographs that YouTube contributor Lusko18 shot at numerous different locations on the island last year. 

 

This is a 5-minute slideshow of photographs shot by Lusko18 during a trip to Tinos in 2015

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